Developing a Growth Plan
In high school, I lacked intentionality. I drifted through life without a clear sense of purpose, ambition, or direction. Although I got a decent score on the ACT exam, I didn’t receive a single scholarship—not one. It might have helped if I actually applied for the free money… Oops.
Looking back, it’s clear how directionless I truly was. Just like my strategy in Halo, I was just spinning in circles hoping I accidentally hit something. I didn’t know how to take initiative, set goals, or prioritize my future.
The turning point came when I worked at the NDSU Wellness Center. My boss (shoutout Joval) saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. She invested in me and my future. She bought me a planner and taught me how to track my life and prioritize what mattered. (*If I didn’t she would have fire me for forgetting when and what time my shifts were.)
That changed everything. I often reflect on it with deep gratitude because it laid the foundation for me to live with intentionality.
Living an intentional life requires a roadmap, and for me, that roadmap is a growth plan. A growth plan is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build the life you’re called to live. It’s not just a self-help strategy—it’s a way to steward the God-given potential within you. Here’s how to build one:
1. Identify Key Areas
Begin by creating buckets for the core areas of your life: marriage, parenting, work, school, friendships, finances, physical health, spiritual health, emotional health—whatever matters most to you. What are the areas of your life you want to win in?
2. Assess Your Current Reality
For each area, write an honest snapshot of where you are right now. What’s working? What’s not? For example, in physical health, I might say, I go to the gym two or three times a week, but I don’t have a plan. I often end up spending most of my time in the sauna (based on a true story). Don’t sugar coat your current reality. This is a critical step in understanding where you are.
3. DETERMINE 2-3 FOCUS AREAS
Out of all your life buckets, choose two or three to focus on during this season. Growth happens best when you narrow your focus. A common mistake I made when I began to pursue intentionality was biting off more than I could chew. I would set 28 goals and become discouraged when I wouldn’t remember them, let alone actually achieve them. Selecting 2-3 priority areas doesn’t mean you will neglect the other areas, it just means you will put greater focus on these areas for the upcoming season (preferably 90 days).
4. WRITE DOWN YOUR ENVISIONED FUTURE
Next, envision what you want your life to look like in each area 90 days from now. Write it in present tense, as if it’s already happening: I enjoy going to the gym and follow a workout plan three times a week, I stretch every morning, and I’ve cut back on late-night snacking. Notice, I’m not just listing out accomplishments, I am also recognizing the type of person I want to be. This envisioned future provides a measuring stick at the end of 90 days — How I am I actually doing?
5. Set Goals and Establish Rhythms
Your goals bridge the gap between your current reality and your envisioned future. But goals alone aren’t enough—you need rhythms. Rhythms are consistent habits that keep you on track. For example, one of my goals in this season is to strengthen my marriage. I desire to have an intentional date night every week, but the core rhythm I am working to establish is a monthly marriage meeting to plan intentional time together. Healthy rhythms feed goals that help you get to where you are trying to go.
6. Build a Growth Team
Invite people into your growth journey—mentors, friends, or accountability partners who will encourage you, hold you accountable, and help you stay aligned with your priorities. Identify one person for every area and ask them to be on your growth team. Tell them your goals and rhythms and create a plan for how they can help you. Don’t do it alone!
7. Create an Ideal Weekly Calendar
Finally, schedule your goals and rhythms into your week. Put your priorities on the calendar to ensure that your intentions become reality. A life lived to the fullest doesn’t happen on accident — it requires intentionality.
You don’t become the person God has called you to be by accident. Growth requires intentionality, reflection, and action. Take time today to reflect on where you are, envision who you want to become, and commit to the daily rhythms that will get you there.
The next 90 days could change your life—but only if you decide to show up with purpose.
Download my FREE Growth Plan and Ideal Week templates to get started.
We also talked about this process in depth on the latest episode of the Going Somewhere Podcast: Ep.61 | Building an Intentional Life